Submissions are now closed to the independent expert panel reviewing the integrity of Australian Carbon Credit Units (ACCUs) under the Emissions Reduction Fund. The panel sought views to help inform its recommendations, submissions closed 26 September 2022. 

On Friday 1 July 2022, the Minister for Climate Change and Energy, the Hon Chris Bowen MP, announced Terms of Reference for the Independent Review of Australian Carbon Credit Units. The Government appointed an independent panel, which will provide its advice to the government by the end of December 2022.

As part of this review, the Panel examined and will advise on the requirements for use of ACCUs under Climate Active.

Currently under Climate Active, all carbon neutral certifications must use a minimum of 20% ACCUs, with this requirement due to take effect from 1 July 2023 for new and ongoing certifications equal to or greater than 1,000 tonnes of CO2-e; and from 1 July 2024 for certifications less than 1,000 tonnes of CO2-e.  Further information about implementation of this requirement is available in the Climate Active Technical Guidance Manual’s ‘Offsets – eligibility, reporting and banking’ section.

The Panel’s recommendations will inform any decision by the Minister on this requirement moving forward.